Years in business: 36 years in the financial services industry, 12 years as owner of Ameriprise Financial

Town in which you reside: Natick

Family: wife, three children and six grandchildren

Hobbies: Reading, golf, family

Tell us how you ended up in this line of work.

My wife Betsy and I had moved from Michigan to Massachusetts with our two small boys and the company that transferred us was experiencing difficulty. We fell in love with New England and wanted to raise our family here. I needed to change careers and chose financial services.

What are two memories from your career that stick with you the most?

Financial planning allows people to make intelligent, informed decisions. To that point, client never fail to thank me for helping them realize their dreams. For example, one family I work with was recently able to purchase a dream get-away vacation home in Maine. I am also proud of being able to help my clients through the decline in the stock market. Those who did not succumb to panic are now whole with a trailing five-year return that is positive.

What do you most like and least like about your work?

I enjoy the personal interaction with clients. I do not like back office paperwork, but hiring an assistant allows me to delegate this.

What makes your business unusual?

The planning that we do for clients will not only affect their own financial situation positively, it will also affect children and grandchildren well into the future.

What advice do you have for someone who wants to open a business?

After interviewing others in your chosen field, conduct a thorough assessment of your new business, understanding the potential revenue and expenses projected for the first five year. Using this information you can determine if you have the resources and support needed to survive the tough early years of a new business.

Surviving the early years is critical and involves hard work and long hours. Your financial reward will likely be small in the beginning, but if you have chosen the right business your income should increase each year you are in business.